Vehicle seat air distribution device

ABSTRACT

An air distribution device that includes a seat plate. The seat plate includes one or more cushion engaging features. The one or more cushion engaging features are configured to engage one or more corresponding plate engaging features provided on a seat cushion of a vehicle seat.

FIELD

These teachings relate to an air distribution device for connecting anair mover to a vehicle seat.

BACKGROUND

Some vehicle seats include features for improving occupant comfort. Forexample, some vehicle seats include one or more air movers or fans formoving air towards and/or away from an occupant of the vehicle seat.

To further improve occupant comfort, while also reducing weight andrequired packaging space, it may be desirable to improve the currentstate of the art. For example, it may be desirable to have an airdistribution device for connecting an air mover to a vehicle seat thatincludes fewer components than other known air distribution devices. Itmay be desirable to have an air distribution device that is easier tohandle and install during vehicle seat assembly compared to other knownair distribution devices.

SUMMARY

These teachings provide an air distribution device that includes a seatplate. The seat plate includes one or more cushion engaging features.The one or more cushion engaging features are configured to engage oneor more corresponding plate engaging features provided on a seat cushionof a vehicle seat. The one or more cushion engaging features areconfigured to engage the one or more plate engaging features to directlyconnect together the seat plate and the cushion.

These teachings provide an air distribution device or seat plate forconnecting an air mover to a vehicle seat. The seat plate is configuredto directly attach to a bottom of back side of a cushion of the vehicleseat. Accordingly, the distribution device or seat plate according tothese teachings includes fewer components than other known airdistribution devices. The distribution device or seat plate according tothese teachings is easier to handle an install during vehicle seatassembly than other known air distribution devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle and a vehicle seat.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle seat.

FIG. 3 is an exploded, cross-sectional view of a cushion of the vehicleseat and the air distribution device.

FIG. 4A is an exploded, cross-sectional view of a cushion of the vehicleseat and the air distribution device.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of an air distribution device.

FIG. 5 is an exploded, cross-sectional view of a cushion of the vehicleseat and the air distribution device.

FIG. 6 is a front view of an air distribution device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Vehicle as used herein may be any vehicle, For example, the vehicle maybe a passenger car or truck, a motor home, train, airplane, boat,off-road vehicle, etc.

Vehicle seat as used herein may be any seat or device that may be usedto support an occupant or goods. The vehicle seat may include one ormore cushions on which or against which an occupant or goods may beseated, stored, and/or transported. The vehicle seat may be a front seat(driver and/or passenger seat), a back seat, a bench, or a combinationthereof. The vehicle seat may also be used in non-vehicularapplications, such as in a home or office environment. The seat mayinclude a seating portion, a backrest portion, a head rest portion, or acombination thereof. Two or more of these portions may be combined intoa single, integral portion (for example, the seating portion and thebackrest portion may be one portion, the backrest portion and the headrest portion may be one portion. In some configurations, the seatingpotion, backrest portion, and headrest portion may be a single portion.In other configurations, the seating portion, backrest portion, andheadrest portion may be individual portions that are connected or joinedtogether to form the vehicle seat.

The vehicle seat may include one or more cushions. A cushion mayfunction to support an occupant, goods, or both. The cushion may extendover, against, or on top of a vehicle seat. The cushion may be made ofan open cell foam, a closed cell foam, or both. The cushion may belocated below or surrounded by a trim or outer later. The trim or outerlayer may be what directly contacts the occupant or goods. The trim orouter layer may be cloth, leather, plastic, etc. The cushion may includeone or more holes or air channels to allow air to flow between an A-sideand a B-side of the cushion. The cushion holes may have a cross-sectionthat increases or decreases between top or A-side side and the rear orbottom side or B side. The air may be moved in either direction, from anA-side to a B-side of the cushion, from the B-side to the A-side of thecushion, or both. The air may be moved by one or more air movers orfans.

The cushion comprises one or more plate engaging features. The one ormore plate engaging features are configured to cooperate with one ormore corresponding cushion engaging features of the seat plate todirectly connect together and maintain a connection between the cushionand the seat plate. The one or more plate engaging features areconfigured to cooperate with one or more cushion engaging features ofthe seat plate to connect together and maintain a sealed or fluidresistant or fluid proof or fluid tight or air impermeable connectionbetween the cushion and the seat plate. This means that fluid or air isrestricted or prevented from escaping or traveling between the one ormore cushion engaging features and the corresponding engaged plateengaging features. The one or more plate engaging features areconfigured to cooperate with one or more cushion engaging features ofthe seat plate to form a labyrinth construction.

The one or more plate engaging features may be formed or made from samematerial as the cushion or from a different material as the rest of thecushion. The one or more plate engaging features may be attached to thecushion with one or more adhesives or fasteners. For example, the one ormore plate engaging features may be attached to the cushion via welding;pushpins, screws, or other similar fasteners; tape such as a PSA(pressure sensitive adhesive); and the like.

The one or more plate engaging features may be located at any portion orsurface of the cushion. For example, the one or more plate engagingfeatures may be located on a lower surface or B-side of the cushion(that opposes the upper surface of the cushion) or on one or both of theside surfaces of the cushion that extend between and connect the lowerand upper surfaces of the cushion. The one or more plate engagingfeatures may be located along the edges or perimeter of the cushion, ina middle region or center line of the cushion, or both. The one or moreplate engaging features may surround a recessed region of the cushionthat is configured to receive an air mover, a support or spacer layer,or both. The plate engaging features may surround a perimeter of therecessed region. The plate engaging features may be located within therecessed region of the cushion.

The one or more plate engaging features may be one or more projections,barbs, tabs, fingers, prongs, convexities, or other similar protrusionsthat extend away from the B-side, bottom, or lower surface of thecushion. The one or more projections may have any shape, such as, forexample: a flat or planar top, a rounded or curved top, a mushroom orflared top, flat, planar or tapered sides, rounded sides, one or moreundercuts, barbs, prongs, fingers, or teeth to bite into the plate orcushion engaging features.

The one or more plate engaging features may be one or more voids, holes,apertures, recesses, reliefs, undercuts; or any combination thereof. Theone or more recesses may have any shape, such as, for example: a flat orplanar bottom, a rounded or curved bottom, a mushroom or flared bottom,flat, planar or tapered sides, rounded sides, one or more undercuts,barbs, or teeth to bite into the plate engaging features.

The air distribution system may function to deliver, guide, or removeair towards/from a vehicle seat or occupant. The air distribution systemmay be located anywhere in the vehicle, but preferably in, under, orbehind a cushion, a bun, a seating portion, a backrest portion, or acombination thereof. The air distribution system may include one or moreair movers, one or more seat plates, or both. The air distributionsystem may be configured to directly attach to a bottom or backside of acushion of a vehicle seat.

One or more adhesives may be provided between one or more features ofthe seat plate and the cushion to directly connect or attach the seatplate and the cushion. The adhesive may function to join or bondtogether the seat plate and cushion, spacer layer and plate, air moverand plate, or a combination thereof. The adhesive may be virtually anysuitable adhesive. For example, the adhesive may be pressure sensitiveadhesive (PSA), a resin, hot melt, epoxy, hot glue, a spray adhesive,polyurethane, tape, a double-sided tape, or a combination thereof.Preferably, the adhesive functions to provide a fluid tight or fluidresistant seal so that air is prevented from leaking or flowing betweenthe joints or contact areas of the seat plate and cushion, the air moverand the seat plate, or a combination thereof. In some configurations,the adhesive may function primarily to provide a fluid tight orresistant seal and less to join or bond together the seat plate andcushion, spacer layer and plate, air mover and plate, or a combinationthereof.

The air distribution system may include one or more spacers or spacerlayers. The one or more spacers or spacer layers may function to move,deflect, guide, and/or distribute a flow of air. The one or more spacerlayers may prevent crushing of the one or more air movers when anoccupant or load is in or near the cushion or vehicle seat. The one ormore spacers or spacer layers may prevent deflection of the cushion, theair distribution device, the seat plate, or a combination thereof sothat a flow of air between the cushion and the air mover is neitherrestricted nor blocked. The one or more spacers or spacer layers may bereceived in a cavity, recess, or opening defined in the cushion and/orin the seat plate. The one or more spacers or spacer layers may be madeform an elastic, flexible, soft, springy and/or supporting material,such as rubber, silicon, foam, cellulose, textiles, paper, and the like.The one or more spacers or spacer layers may include one or morebaffles, ribs, projections, bumps, mesh, or other 3D structures. The oneor more spacers or spacer layers may be similar to the spacers disclosedin commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 8,777,320 B2, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

The air distribution system may include one or more air movers. One ormore air movers may be connected to an aperture(s) defined in the seatplate. The air mover may be connected to the seat plate with one or moreadhesives or snap rings. An air mover may be any device or combinationof device configured or operable to move air. The air mover may increasea flow, speed, or velocity of the air. The air mover may decrease aflow, speed, or velocity of the air. The air mover may be a fan. The airmover may be a radial fan. The air mover may be an axial fan. The airmover may direct air from one or more sources of air. The one or moresources of air may be a heating source providing warm air, a coolingsource providing cold air, or a source of ambient air providing air thatis at generally the same temperature as the cabin of the vehicle.

The air distribution system may include one or more air seat plates. Theseat plate may function to connect an air mover to a cushion of avehicle seat and assist in transporting air through the cushion. Theseat plate may be a rigid structure or a flexible structure. The seatplate may be made of or include a polypropylene, polymer, plastic,metal, a thermoset, an elastomer, high density polyethylene (HDPE);acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), a combination thereof, or otherair-impermeable materials. The seat plate may be vacuum formed, plasticinjection molded, made of a single piece, or a combination thereof. Theseat plate may be from the same material as the cushion, or from adifferent material from the cushion. The seat plate may be a metalstamping. The seat plate may be part of the seat frame. The seat platemay be the seat frame that is fastened to the floor of the vehicle. Theseat frame may be part of the suspension of the seat. The suspension mayinclude one or more springs or flexible wires. The seat plate may be 3Dprinted using materials that are plastic, metal, or both. The seat platemay be a flexible substrate, a bag, a portion of a bag, or a combinationthereof. The seat plate may be a single piece or comprise multiplepieces attached together. The seat plate may include one or morebaffles, spacers, or spacer layers to assist with guiding or deflectingair and/or prevent crushing or blocking of an outlet or inlet of an airmover. The seat plate may be free of a top surface or layer. A bottom orback surface of the cushion may form or function as the top surface orlayer to cover the seat plate after the cushion and the seat plate areconnected together with the one or more cushion and plate engagingfeatures.

The seat plate comprises one or more cushion engaging features. The oneor more cushion engaging features are configured to cooperate with oneor more corresponding plate engaging features of the cushion to directlyconnect together and maintain a connection between the cushion and theseat plate. The one or more cushion engaging features are configured tocooperate with one or more plate engaging features of the cushion toconnect together and maintain a sealed or fluid resistant or fluid proofor fluid tight or air impermeable connection between the cushion and theseat plate. This means that fluid or air is restricted or prevented fromescaping or traveling between the one or more cushion engaging featuresand the corresponding engaged plate engaging features.

The one or more cushion engaging features may be formed or made fromsame material as the seat plate. The one or more cushion engagingfeatures may be attached to the seat plate with one or more adhesives orfasteners. For example, the one or more cushion engaging features may beattached to the seat plate via welding: pushpins, screws, glue, tape, orother similar fasteners or adhesives; and the like.

The one or more cushion engaging features may be located at any portionor surface of the seat plate. The one or more cushion engaging featuresmay be located along the edges or perimeter of the cushion, in a middleregion or center line of the seta plate, or both. The one or morecushion engaging features may be located within or inside a recessedregion of the seat plate where the spacer or spacer layer is located. Insome configurations, when the spacer layer is integrally formed with theseat plate or attached to a seat plate in a subsequent step, the spacersor spacer layers may include the one or more cushion engaging features.

The one or more cushion engaging features may be one or more voids,holes, apertures, recesses, reliefs, undercuts; or any combinationthereof. The one or more recesses may have any shape, such as, forexample: a flat or planar bottom, a rounded or curved bottom, a mushroomor flared bottom, flat, planar or tapered sides, rounded sides, one ormore undercuts, barbs, or teeth to bite into the plate engagingfeatures.

The one or more cushion engaging features may be one or moreprojections, barbs, tabs, fingers, prongs, convexities, or other similarprotrusions that extend away from the seat plate. The one or moreprojections may have any shape, such as, for example: a flat or planartop, a rounded or curved top, a mushroom or flared top, flat, planar ortapered sides, rounded sides, one or more undercuts, barbs, or teeth tobite into the plate engaging features.

It is understood that any of the features, elements, components, parts,embodiments, disclosed and/or illustrated herein may be duplicated,omitted, combined with other features and embodiments, or a combinationthereof, Moreover, it is understood that a vehicle seat, an distributionsystem, and/or any other assembly or sub assembly may be formed bycombining any of the elements, features, and/or components disclosedherein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 comprises at least onevehicle seat 12. The vehicle seat 12 comprises a seating portion 14 anda backrest portion 16.

FIG. 2 illustrates the vehicle seat 12. Each of the seating portion 14and the backrest portion 16 comprises a cushion 18. The cushion 18comprises a top or A-side A and an opposing bottom or B-side B. An airdistribution device 100 may be associated with or connected to one orboth cushions 18, The vehicle seat 12 may include one or more airdistribution devices 100. An air distribution device 100 may beconnected or attached to the back or B-side B of the cushion 18 or theseating portion 14, the backrest portion 16, or both. However, it isunderstood that a vehicle seat 12 may include only one air distributiondevice 100 in one of the cushions 18 or may have one air distributiondevice 100 that is attached to both cushions 18.

FIGS. 3 and 4A each illustrate a cross section of the cushion 18 ofeither or both of the seating portion 14 and the backrest portion 16 ofthe vehicle seat 12. The cushion 18 may be at least partially covered orenclosed by a trim cover or outer layer 20. The cushion 18 comprises oneor more air channels 22 that extend at least partially through athickness of the cushion 18, between the bottom or B-side B of thecushion 18 and the top or A-side A of the cushion 18. The cushion 18comprises one or more recessed regions 34. The recessed region 34 may belocated at a center region thereof and between opposing side cushionbolsters 32. However, in some configurations the recessed region 34 maybe offset from a center line 30 of the cushion 18 and arranged closer toone of the side cushion bolsters 32 than the other. The recessed region34 may be centered in a fore-aft direction (or front-back direction) ofthe cushion. In other configurations, the recessed region 34 may beoffset or moved closer to the fore direction than the aft direction, orvice versa. In other configurations, the cushion 18 may include pluralrecessed regions. The air channels 22 may be located in the recessedregion 34 and/or in the cushion bolster 32 regions. The recessed region34 may be configured to provide an area to accept on or more features ofthe seat 12, such as one or more of the spacer layers 118 discussedfurther below. The recessed region 34 may provide or define spacingand/or a gap between a bottom side of the cushion 18 and an opening 114defined in the seat plate 102 also discussed further below so that theaperture 114 and/or air mover 116 are not obstructed or blocked when thecushion 18 is compressed, distorted, or deflected after an occupant orgoods or other load are acting on the cushion 18 from the A-side A. Theaforementioned spacing or gap may be defined in, at, or between a regionof the cushion 34 or the recessed region 34 of the cushion 34 and theseat plate 102 or the recessed region 112 of the seat plate 102. Thespacing or gap between these features may define one or more airdistribution channels 113.

The one or more air distribution channels 3 may be formed or definedafter the seat plate 102 and the cushion 34 are engaged or connectedtogether (See FIG. 5 , for example). In other words, after the one ormore cushion engaging features 104 (described below) engage or connectto or with the one or more corresponding plate engaging features 24(also described below), the one or more air distribution channels 113may be defined or formed therebetween. The one or more air distributionchannels 113 may provide an area or region for air supplied by the airmover 116 to be distributed to or along a bottom area of the cushion 18and ultimately distributed to the one or more air channels 22. The oneor more air distribution channels 113 may be one large channel or space.Alternatively, the one or more air distribution channels 113 may beplural channels or spaces that are defined or separated by vanes, ribs,projections, standoffs or spacers 118, etc., which may function to guideor direct air flow from the air mover 116 directly to corresponding airchannels 22. When operating in a pull mode, the one or more ribs,projections, standoffs or spacers 118, etc., may function to guide ordirect air flow from the air channels 22 directly to the air mover 116.The one or more air distribution channels 113 may also providesufficient spacing between the air mover 116 and a bottom of the cushion18 so that when a load or occupant is seated on the cushion 18, thecushion 18 does not contact or block the aperture 114, which mayundesirably obstruct air flow to or from the air mover 114.

The cushion 18 comprises one or more plate engaging features 24 Theplate engaging features 24 may be a projection that projects or extendsaway from the B-side of the cushion 18. The plate engaging features 24may be defined by a top surface 26 that is generally flat or planar(FIG. 3 ) or a top surface 26 that is generally rounded or curved (FIG.4 ). In other configurations, the plate engaging features 24 can haveany shape or feature disclosed herein. The plate engaging features 24may have side walls 28 that extend away from the B-side of the cushion18. The side walls 28 may be generally planar or tapered (FIG. 3 ) orthe side walls 28 may be generally rounded or curved (FIG. 4 ). In someconfigurations, a flat-topped 26 projection (FIG. 3 ) may compriserounded or curved side walls 28 (FIG. 4 ) and/or a rounded or curved top26 (FIG. 4 ) may comprise planar or tapered side walls 28 (FIG. 3 ). Insome configurations, one or more of the plate engaging features 24 ofFIG. 3 may be combined with one or more of the plate engaging features24 of FIG. 4 or disclosed herein. That is, it is within the scope ofthis disclosure that the cushion comprises one or more plate engagingfeatures 24 from both FIGS. 3 and 4A, 4B.

The air distribution device 100 comprises a seat plate 102. The seatplate 102 comprises one or more cushion engaging features 104 that areconfigured to connect with and/or engage the one or more plate engagingfeatures 24 provided on the cushion 18 to attach or connect the airdistribution device 100 directly to the cushion 18.

The cushion engaging features 104 may comprise one or more recesses. Thecushion engaging features 104 may be defined by a bottom surface 106that is generally flat (FIG. 3 ) or a bottom surface 106 that isgenerally rounded or curved (FIG. 4 ). The cushion engaging features 104may include side walls 108 that are generally planar or tapered (FIG. 3) or generally rounded or curved (FIG. 4 ). In some configurations, aflat-bottomed 106 recess (FIG. 3 ) may comprise rounded or curved sidewalls 108 (FIG. 4 ) and/or a rounded or curved bottom 106 (FIG. 4 ) maycomprise planar or tapered side walls 108 (FIG. 3 ). In someconfigurations. one or more of the cushion engaging features 104 of FIG.3 may be combined with one or more of the cushion engaging features 104of FIG. 4 . The one or more cushion engaging features 104 may be locatedproximal to an edge 120 of the seat plate 102. The one or more cushionengaging features 104 may be located adjacent to an outer edge orperiphery of the seat plate. The one or more cushion engaging features104 may be located at or near the one or more recessed regions 112. Insuch a configuration, where the one or more cushion engaging features104 are located at or in the one or more recessed regions 112 of theseat plate 102, the one or more cushion engaging features 104 may servemultiple functions, including connecting the seat plate to the cushionand to provide structure, walls, or separators to define the one or moreair distribution channels 113 discussed above to assist with directingair flow to and from the air mover 116.

The air distribution device 100 may include one or more adhesives 110.The one or more adhesives 110 may be provided between the cushion 18 andthe seat plate 102 to connect and maintain a direct connection betweenthe cushion 18 and the seat plate 102. The one or more adhesives 110 maybe provided in the areas that the one or more plate engaging features 24engage the one or more cushion engaging features 104 (i.e., in/on thebottom surfaces, the side walls, the tops, etc.). In someconfigurations, one or more fasteners, like pins, hook and loopfasteners, screws, rivets, glue, etc. may be used in addition to or inplace of the adhesives 110 connect together the cushion 18 and the seatplate 102.

The seat plate 102 comprises a recessed region 112 and an aperture 114.The aperture 114 may be located in the recessed region 112 or outside ofthe recessed region 112. The recessed region is configured to engagewith or connect one or more air movers 116 to the seat plate 102. Therecessed region 112 may be located at any portion of the seat plate 102.Preferably, the recessed region 112 is located between or within thecushion engaging features 104. The recessed region 112 is configured toprovide an area for fluid to be distributed to the one or more airchannels 22 defined in the cushion 18 so that the air can be distributedtowards an occupant sitting on the cushion 18 or the seat 12. Therecessed region 112 may comprise one or more standoffs or spacers 118.The one or more standoffs or spacers 118 may be attached to the seatplate 102 with one or more adhesives or fasteners, or the one or morestandoffs or spacers 118 may be molded or manufactured together with theseat plate 102 (i.e., molded together, co-molded, insert molded, etc.)The one or more standoffs or spacers 118 may be configured to restrictor prevent the B-side of the cushion 18 from collapsing, blocking, orotherwise obstructing the aperture 114 and/or air mover 116 when anoccupant is seated or resting against the cushion 18. The one or morestandoffs or spacers 118 may be configured to direct an airflow providedby the air mover 116 to the one or more air channels 22 defined in thecushion 18.

The aperture 114 and/or the air mover 116 may be offset to a side of acenter axis 30 of the cushion 18 (FIG. 3 ), or the aperture 114 and/orthe air mover 116 may generally aligned with the center axis 30 of thecushion 18 (FIG. 4 ). The seat plate 102 may include more than oneaperture 114 and air mover 116 for pushing or moving air into the airchannels 22 and towards the occupant in or near the seat 12, or pullingor suctioning air out of the air channels 22 and away from the occupantin or near the seat 12. While operating in a push mode, when the airmover 116 is moving air towards an occupant in or near the seat 12, theair may be conditioned (i.e., warmer or colder than ambient air in thecabin of the vehicle 12, or the air may be ambient air,

During assembly of the vehicle seat 12 and/or one or both of the seatingportion 14 and backrest portion 16, the seat plate 102 can be broughtinto proximity with the cushion 18 so that the one or more cushionengaging features 104 are aligned with the one or more plate engagingfeature 24. The engaging features 24, 104 are then brought into contactwith each other such that the plate engaging features 24 mate with orengage the plate engaging features 104. The connection between theengaging features 24, 104 may be a snap-fit or interference fitconnection. One or more adhesives 110 may be provided in the region ofthe engaging feature 24, 104 to assist with creating and/or maintainingthe connection between the seat plate 102 and the cushion 18. After theengaging features 24, 104 are engaged, a fluid-tight connection may beachieved between the cushion 18 and the seat plate 102, which mayadvantageously restrict or prevent air that is moved by the air mover116 from leaking or flowing between the cushion 18 and the seat plate102. The use of one or more adhesives 110 may further promote thefluid-tight seal or connection between the cushion 18 and the seat plate102. Accordingly, air is moved by the air mover 116 through the aperture114, the recessed region 112, and the one or more air channels 22 in thecushion 18 in a direction towards or away from an occupant of the seat12.

The seat plate 102 of FIGS. 3 and/or 4A has a cross section or thicknessthat may vary or is not uniform along a length or width thereof (incontrast to the seat plate 102 of FIG. 4B discussed below). For example,the seat plate 102 of FIGS. 3 and/or 4A may have one or more thicker andthinner regions that extend along a length or width of the plate 102.The thicker regions may be stabilizing regions 119 that may function tostabilize or reinforce the seat plate 102, the cushion, the seat, or acombination thereof. Stabilizing regions 119 may find use or beadvantageous in the area(s) of the cushion engaging features 104 torestrict or prevent the engaging features 104 and/or the plate 102 fromdistorting, bending, and/or flexing, which may assist duringinstallation of the plate 102 to the cushion 18. Stabilizing regions 119may also assist with retaining a connection between the plate 102 andthe cushion 18. The thicker or stabilizing regions may be anywhere onthe plate 102, including in the recessed region 112 to support thespacer layer 118, the air mover 116, or both.

The seat plate 102 may have a thickness or cross section that issubstantially smaller or less a thickness or cross section of thecushion. However, in some configurations a thickness or cross section ofthe seat pan may be substantially the same as the cushion, or evengreater or larger than thickness or cross section of the cushion.

FIG. 4B illustrates another air distribution device 100 that includes aseat plate 102, The seat plate 102 of FIG. 4B has many of the featuresdescribed above and below; thus, like features will not be described. Itis understood, however, that one or more of any features of the seatplate described herein can be incorporated into the version illustratedand described in FIG. 4B and that any of the feature(s) illustrate anddescribed in FIG. 4B can be incorporated into any of the other seatplates illustrated and described herein. In other words, it is withinthe scope of this disclosure that a cushion, seat pan, or assembly canbe constructed by picking and choosing one or more of the any of theelements illustrated and/or disclosed herein. Moreover. one or more ofthe elements or features illustrated and/or disclosed herein may becombined with other features disclosed herein; duplicated; eliminated;moved or repositioned; or a combination thereof.

The seat plate 102 of FIG. 4B has a generally or substantially uniformor constant thickness or cross section that extends along or between anentire width and/or length of the plate 102, for example between edges122, 124. In vehicle position, the edges 122, 124 may be arranged sideto side (i.e., cross car direction) and/or may be front to back (i.e.,fore aft direction). A seat plate 102 that has a substantially uniformor constant thickness and/or cross section may provide for the plate 102to bend, flex, or be movable, formable, and/or deformable to assist inassembly of the plate 102 onto a seat cushion 18. For example, due totolerance variations of the seat plate 102, cushion engaging features24, cushion 18, plate engaging feature 24, etc., having a seat plate 102that can be moved, formed, and/or at least partially deformed/distortedmay assist during vehicle seat assembly, especially during aligning andconnecting of the engaging features 24, 104.

The seat plate 102 may also include one or more flexing features 126. Aflexing feature 126 may function to assist with moving forming,deforming, and/or distorting the plate 102. For example, duringinstallation and/or assembly with the cushion 18 or vehicle seat 12, itmay be desirable to be able to at least partially bend or flex one ormore areas or regions of the seat plate 102 to assist with engaging thecushion engaging features 104 with the plate engaging features 24 of thecushion 18. Accordingly, the flexing features 126 may be provided in orat regions of the cushion engaging features 104. However, the flexingfeatures 126 may be located anywhere on the plate 102. Additionally, oralternatively, the one or more flexing features 126 may assist withproviding for the plate 102 to bend or flex to accommodate cushionmovement 18, which may occur when a weight is provided on the cushion 18(i.e., occupant and/or goods in the vehicle seat 12), The one or moreflexing features 126 may be a notch, depression, thinned out section,spring, elastic, metal, plastic, rubber, and/or living hinge defined inthe seat plate 102. The one or more flexing regions 126 may be aflexible or bias able material provided in certain areas of the seatplate 102, while other areas of the seat plate 102 may be made or formedfrom other more rigid or less flexible materials.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross section of the cushion 18 of either or bothof the seating portion 14 and the backrest portion 16 of the vehicleseat 12. The cushion 18 comprises one or more air channels 22 thatextend at least partially through a thickness of the cushion 18, betweenthe bottom or B-side B of the cushion 18 and the top or A-side A of thecushion 18.

The cushion 18 comprises one or more plate engaging features 24. Theplate engaging features 24 may be a recess, groove, or notch defined inthe cushion 18 that extends laterally outward into the cushion 18, awayfrom a center axis 30 of the cushion. The plate engaging features 24(i.e., the recess, groove, or notch) may have walls that are generallyflat, planar, tapered, or curved.

The air distribution device 100 comprises a seat plate 102. The seatplate 102 comprises one or more cushion engaging features 104 that areconfigured to engage the one or more plate engaging features 24 definedin the cushion 18 to attach or connect the air distribution device 100to the cushion 18. The one or more cushion engaging features 104 may beprojections or tabs that also extend from the seat plate 102 in adirection away from the center axis 30 of the cushion 18. The cushionengaging features 104 or projections include surfaces that complementthe plate engaging features 24 of the cushion 18.

The air distribution device 100 comprises an aperture 114, an air mover116, and one or more stand offs or spacers 118, like the ones describedabove at FIGS. 3 and 4A, 4B.

With continued reference to FIG. 5 . during assembly of the vehicle seat12 and/or one or both of the seating portion 14 and backrest portion 16,the seat plate 102 is brought into proximity with the cushion 18 so thatthe cushion engaging features 104 of the seat plate 102 can be slid intothe plate engaging features 24 of the cushion 18. For example, assumingthe cushion 18 is arranged horizontally on a table, the seat plate 102can be moved horizontally so that the cushion engaging features 24 slideinto the plate engaging features 24 of the cushion 18. Alternatively,the cushion 18 can be moved horizontally so that the plate engagingfeatures 104 slide along or onto the cushion engaging features 104 ofthe seat plate 102. Alternatively, the bolster or edge regions 32 of thecushion 18 can be moved, deflected, deformed, or moved or pushed awayfrom the center axis 30 of the cushion 18 and the cushion engagingfeatures 104 can be flexed, snapped, or placed into the plate engagingfeature 24 of the cushion 18. After the bolster or edge regions 32 ofthe cushion 18 are relaxed, those portions 32 move back towards thecenter axis 30, thus retaining or securing the cushion engaging featuresof the seat plate 102. One or more adhesives (not illustrated) may beprovided between or in regions of the engaging features 24, 104 tofurther promote a fluid-tight seal or connection between the cushion 18and the seat plate 102. During use, air is moved by the air mover 116through the aperture 114, and the one or more air channels 22 in thecushion 18 in a direction towards or away from an occupant of the seat12

FIG. 6 illustrates another air distribution system 100. The airdistribution device 100 includes a seat plate 200 that comprises asurface 202 that is configured to be arranged at the B-side B of cushion18. Surface 202 may have a first area 204 and a second area 206surrounding the first area 204. The first area 204 may be a recessedregion, like the recessed region 112, that is surrounded by area 206that is elevated relative to the recessed region 204. Each area 204, 206may be covered with an adhesive 208, 208′. The adhesive 208, 208′ may bea pressure sensitive adhesive PSA having a surface side that is adheredor attached to the respective area 204, 206 of the seat plate 200. Theopposing side of the adhesive 208, 208′ may be covered with a removablecovering layer 210, 210. The first area 204 or the recessed region mayinclude an aperture or opening 207. During assembly of the seat plate200. an air mover 212 can be attached to the aperture or opening 207 inseat plate 200 in a region of the first area 204 or recessed region andsecured to the seat plate 200 via a snap ring 209 or other suitablefastener or mounting apparatus. The covering layer 210 can be removedfrom the first area 204, and one or more standoffs, spacers, or a spacerlayers, like those illustrated and described at element 118 of FIGS. 3and 4A, B, may be pressed down onto the adhesive 208 to attach the oneor more standoffs, spacers, or a spacer layer to the seat plate 200, Thecovering layer 210′ can then be removed thus exposing the adhesive 208′in area 206 and the seat plate 102 can be brought into contact with andpressed against the B-side B of a cushion 18 to adhere the area 206 ofthe seat plate 200 to the B-side B of the cushion 18.

The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended toacquaint others skilled in the art with the invention, its principles,and its practical application. The above description is intended to beillustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art may adapt andapply the invention in its numerous forms, as may be best suited to therequirements of a particular use.

Accordingly, the specific embodiments of the present invention as setforth are not intended as being exhaustive or limiting of the teachings.The scope of the teachings should, therefore, be determined not withreference to this description, but should instead be determined withreference to the appended claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled. The omission in thefollowing claims of any aspect of subject matter that is disclosedherein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, nor should it beregarded that the inventors did not consider such subject matter to bepart of the disclosed inventive subject matter.

Plural elements or steps can be provided by a single integrated elementor step. Alternatively, a single element or step might be divided intoseparate plural elements or steps.

The disclosure of “a” or “one” to describe an element or step is notintended to foreclose additional elements or steps.

While the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein todescribe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections,these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should notbe limited by these terms. These terms may be used to distinguish oneelement, component, region, layer or section from another region, layeror section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical termswhen used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearlyindicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region,layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element,component, region, layer or section without departing from theteachings.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,”“lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatiallyrelative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turnedover, elements described as “below”, or “beneath” other elements orfeatures would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

The disclosures of all articles and references, including patentapplications and publications, are incorporated by reference for allpurposes. Other combinations are also possible as will be gleaned fromthe following claims, which are also hereby incorporated by referenceinto this written description.

1. An air distribution device comprising: a seat plate comprising one ormore cushion engaging features, the one or more cushion engagingfeatures are configured to engage one or more corresponding plateengaging features provided on a bottom or backside of a seat cushion ofa vehicle seat to connect the seat plate to the seat cushion, the seatplate further comprising an aperture for connecting or engaging an airmover to the seat plate, wherein air from the air mover is directedthrough the seat plate, towards the bottom or the backside of the seatcushion or away from the bottom or the back-side of the seat cushion.2.-15. (canceled)
 16. The air distribution device according to claim 1,wherein an air distribution channel or space is defined between aninside surface of the seat plate and the bottom or backside of the seatcushion.
 17. The air distribution device according to claim 16, whereinthe air distribution channel or space is further defined by inwardlyfacing walls.
 18. The air distribution device according to claim 17,wherein the air distribution device comprises a spacer layer between theinwardly facing walls.
 19. The air distribution device according toclaim 18, wherein the spacer layer has opposing edges in contact withthe inwardly facing walls.
 20. The air distribution device according toclaim 16, wherein when the air distribution device is viewed incross-section, the seat plate has a U-shaped structure defining the airdistribution channel or space, and the air distribution device comprisesa spacer layer provided in the U-shaped structure.
 21. The airdistribution device according to claim 20, wherein the seat plate isflexible.
 22. The air distribution device according to claim 21, whereinthe seat plate comprises one or more standoffs in U-shaped structure.23. The air distribution device according to claim 17, wherein the seatplate comprises one or more standoffs in the air distribution channel orspace.
 24. The air distribution device according to claim 23, whereinthe one or more standoffs extend from the inside surface of the seatplate in a direction of the bottom or backside of the seat cushion. 25.The air distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the apertureis aligned along a center line of the seat cushion.
 26. The airdistribution device according to claim 25, wherein the one or morecushion engaging features comprise a recess and the one or more plateengaging features comprise a projection that is received into therecess, or vice versa.
 27. The air distribution device according toclaim 20, wherein the cushion engaging features of the seat plate areslid into the plate engaging features of the cushion.
 28. The airdistribution device according to claim 17, wherein the seat platecomprises an undulating surface in a region of the air distributionchannel or space.
 29. The air distribution device according to claim 26,wherein an adhesive is provided between the recess and the projection.30. The air distribution channel according to claim 1, wherein the oneor more cushion engaging features comprise one or more flexing features.31. The air distribution device according to claim 30, wherein the oneor more flexing features comprise a notch, depression, thinned outsection, spring, elastic, metal, plastic, rubber, and/or living hinge.32. The air distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the airdistribution device comprises a spacer layer received in a cavity,recess, or opening defined in the cushion and/or in the seat plate. 33.The air distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the seat platecomprises a recessed region, and the aperture is located in the recessedregion.
 34. The air distribution device according to claim 1, whereinthe seat plate comprises one or more thicker and thinner regions thatextend along a length or width of the seat plate.